Unbeaten China sees off Vietnam, Iran awaits in AVC semifinals

Event host China remained unbeaten at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, after sweeping past Vietnam 3-0 in the quarterfinals in Tianjin on Friday.

The home side prevailed 25-15, 25-22, 25-13 to extend its record at the tournament to four victories from four matches without dropping a set.

Wu Mengjie and Zhuang Yushan led the Chinese team with 18 points apiece.

China faced its biggest challenge in the second set, when Vietnam fought back from an early deficit to level the score at 21-21.

The tournament host responded by taking four of the next five points, before dominating the third set to complete the victory.

The Chinese ladies will face Iran in Saturday's semifinals, after the West Asian side rallied past Indonesia 3-1.

The Iranians dropped the opening set before triumphing 19-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-17 to reach the last four at the continental competition for the first time.

Elaheh Poor Saleh led the winning team with 29 points.

Saturday's meeting will be the second between the two sides at this year's tournament.

China won their group-stage encounter 3-0, although Iran pushed the event host to 25-23 in the second set.

Japan and defending champion Thailand will meet in Saturday's other semifinal.

Japan cruised past Chinese Taipei 25-14, 25-21, 25-13 in the quarterfinals, while Thailand defeated the Republic of Korea 25-20, 25-18, 25-21.

The Asian Championship winner will qualify directly for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, while the top three finishers will clinch places at the 2027 FIVB Women's World Championship.